Acupressure is an ancient healing art that uses key points along the energy meridians in the body allowing balance and wellness. For over 5000 yrs Asians have used acupressure to access the body's natural self healing ability. Chinese medicine looks at re-balancing the root causes for disease and illness versus the western band aid take a pill approach.

Why do traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners look to the liver when dealing with women's health issues?

The liver is responsible for balancing hormones in the body, cleansing blood and making blood. A sluggish liver can cause many disharmonies and is most often times the root of women's health issues. Our western diets are full of fats and sugars that impede the liver from functioning properly. Habitual frustrations and recurrent feelings of anger also harm the liver. These next liver points are most often used in acupressure to treat women's health issues.

Liver 14- is located below the breast where the bra wire sits. This tender point is located between the ribs in a little nook closer to the sternum or hard part of the breast plate. If this is a tender point for you then chances are your liver could use a little boost. Hold this point with firm pressure usually 1-5 minutes until the pain subsides. You will notice a softening and the point won't be as sensitive to the touch. Liver 14 regulates and re-balances the energy of the liver and if you are experiencing menstrual difficulties such as irregular menses, pms, cramps, heavy bleeding or menopausal disorders this is a great point to use frequently.

Liver 3- is located on the foot between the first and 3rd toe up into the fleshy part of the foot about 2 inches up from the web. It is usually very sensitive. This is one of the most powerful points in the body as well as being the source point of the liver. It is not to be used by pregnant women as it brings energy down in the body and promotes labor. Liver 3- is used for all women's health issues stated in the previous paragraph. It is also beneficial for headaches in front of the eyes as the liver control the eye orifices as well. Once again hold this point for an extended period until the pain subsides.

Using these two acupressure points can help to relieve many women's health problems. Stimulating these points daily will bring quicker results. Consider a liver cleanse and moderating your diet to limit fatty foods, red meats, diary, and alcohol to regain a healthy liver function.

Eating dark green bitter vegetables like asparagus, swiss chard and spinach also cleanses the liver. Most women crave chocolate during menstruation as the bitter flavor in the cacao stimulates the liver's purifying action.

Consider using alternative modalities such as mediation, various breathing exercises and yoga if emotions such as frustration and anger get the best of you. And remember that your body is not working on a microwave time-line. It takes quite a while for an imbalance to manifest and cause various health problems. So be patient with your body and give it time to heal, and do its job properly again.